James Forten; Prison Ships, Sail Making, 1812 Barricades

Philly People, Now Deceased: A History Podcast

English - April 30, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 39.4 MB - ★★★★★ - 6 ratings
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Previous Episode: Episode 4: Cornelius McGillicuddy and the 1929 World Series

Next Episode: Episode 6 Part 1: Six Things You Didn't Know About the Conestoga

Thanks for joining Episode 5. Today we discuss James Forten, one of the richest men in Philadelphia in the early 1800s. Born a free African American in 1766, James Forten loved his country, and lived most of his teens on ships; ranging from the infamous prison ship the HMS Jersey, to the Commerce, to many many other ships that he outfitted with sails. He lived to become one of the most pre-eminent Philadelphians and Abolitionists of our time.